Are/were you plus size and pregnant?

[~mamaspice~]

Just wanting to hear from those who are/were plus size and pregnant.

Did your health care providers treat you any differently because of your weight?

Did/do you have any pregnancy conditions associated with carrying the extra weight?

Did you gain much extra weight whilst you were pregnant?

I am keen for #2 but for various reasons I have gained a fair bit of weight in the 2 years since I had Charli and am now a size 18-20

I recently had a pre preg check-up and although I'm a bigger girl my blood pressure and blood sugar were both totally normal (my iron is a bit low tho)

Would like to hear peoples experiences.

[Arimeh]

Hey honey

I've always been a "bigger" girl during my pregnancies, although with DS and DD I started off in the early 70kg range, so wasn't too bad, but this one I was 89kg when I fell pregnant. I stopped getting on the scale once I reached 100kg.. LOL.. so I have no clue what I am now.

I have had nothing said to me WHATSOEVER from my health providers, whether it was my GP that I saw first, or my OB that I had. Only one midwife up at Selangor told me that I didn't have to really be eating for two Stupid mole - she was also not supportive of VBAC's so I wasn't a fan of hers!!

The midwife down here has said nothing about my size. My blood pressure is perfectly normal. I have no health issues besides my SPD, which happens to skinny girls too so nothing to do with my weight. Oh and my OB did say I might be at risk for GD because I am not a skinny minny - and DD was nearly 4kg born, but my test came back fine.

HTH!

[Chocaholic]

I have always been a big girl. Both pregnancies I was an 18-20 size, still am for that matter!!

No one in the medical field looking after me treated me any different. I had one Dr say that I should look at going on a sensible eating & exercise plan after I had the baby but that I was not to make any drastic changes while pregnant. I do eat sensibly most of the time but I do not exercise enough, even now.

I had absolutely no medical conditions during pregnancy. They were very easy pregnancies, thankfully! I have also been very healthy my whole life as well, so whether that helped or not, I don't know.

I put on a reasonable amount of weight for both pregnancies but lost most of it not long after the babies where born.

Good luck TTC!

[maz]

I had a GD nurse tell me I must eat bad because my blood sugars were high (6.7) and my weight was high and that my baby was going to be huge thanks to it all.......lets just say I didnt see that nurse again and instead of my baby being 11pound like all the 'experts' told me she was only 7p 2oz.

I had extermely bad morning sickness whilst pg with my lot and lost weight which is a good thing when your a size 24 :redfaced: . I had high blood pressure with my last little guy and almost lost him due to doctors who didnt believe that I had anything wrong with me

[~*Niadalla*~]

Hi there! I'm a big girl and I have had 2 fantastic pregnancies and birthing experiences.
I was treated like I was a drain on the health system by some health 'professionals' and like a normal human being by most others.

I was told to pretty much expect to have GD. I didn't have it either time. Both of the GCT's came back perfect but during my second pregnancy, I was basically told that there was no way I could NOT have GD, so they made me have to GTT. I was pretty fricking thrilled when I got hte all clear from that aswell

I have white coat fever when it comes to my BP readings, and it wasn't a worry at all first pregnancy. Second time around you would think they would be a bit more relaxed about it all... but no. I was told my BP was way too high and they wanted me on meds. I did explain about the white coat fever thing but that was brushed off many times. I finally got through to one Doc who made me have BP monitoring for an hour, and yes, indeed I had white coat fever.
I was told during my first pregnancy by the OBS who had my 'case' ( I was public), that I had an 80-90% chance of having a cesearian because "I was so fat". It was also mentioned that this OB was surprised that I could even get pregnant so easily. Enjoyed rubbing his face in it 12 months later whne I was pregnant again, but I thoroughly enjoyed letting him know of my gas only vaginal birth. I wonder if heard that it was the same again for #2??


Ok enough of my ranting. LOL

I gained 5kgs MAX both pregnancies ( I forgot to add..,I did have Hyperemesis both pregnancies, so that probably helped. LOL). No medical issues at all. Had fantastic birthing experiences. Just wish that some doctors would actually take things case by case rather than on assumptions and things they have read in medical books. I know that bigger people CAN have issues, but so can small people.

I like to think that I have re educated a few of my doctors and that they now have a more open mind when seeing other larger ladies.

HTH and good luck TTC!!!

[Feijoa Mum]

I am currently pregnant with number five and I am a size 18-20. I am sure I am carrying this baby in my backside because you would never think to look at me that I am nearly half way. I just look tubby like I always do.
I have not had any weight related issues with any of my pregnancies nor have I had any negative comments or feelings from midwives or gps.
I did have three over 9lb babies though but no gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.

I am not one of those lucky women who loose weight breastfeeding but I do not gain alot during my pregnancies. The babies tend to take it from me as I loose my appetite if anything so I end up smaller after I have them then before I began.
I am aware of it this time so I am going to do my best to try and keep it off after fruitsalad is born.
All the best with your TTC

[Astrid]

I started off at about 80kg with both my pregnacies. With the first one, the ob I saw was absolutely awful. She said I was obese, my baby would be deformed and that I could not go to the Family Birth Centre as I was high risk! After lots of tears and explantions that I had been much heavier (about 100kg) with no health problems she changed her decision and let me see the midiwives. Not a single midwife had any issue with my weight and I had no problems other than carpal tunnel. I did end up with an emergency c-section, but that was not weight related. I did gain a fair bit of weight, as I found the only way to deal with my m/s was to eat.

2nd time around I got carpal tunnel again along with spd. The only issue with my weight was this it made ultrasounds more difficult and there was a chance I would have to return for more in case they could not see everything first time around.

[Shades]

I'm on the cuddly side too - between a 16 and a 20 depending on the clothes... I volunteered to my OB that I wanted to watch my weight and he said that was totally up to me, I didn't need to put on any for a healthy pregnancy, but also didn't need to worry about it if I did... I'm in at the birth centre here, no bp issues, no gd, no spd... boringly low-risk all round. I've probably gained about 5kg since falling pg, and I'm 37wks on Mon... My mum was larger with my brother (maybe a 22), also had no issues with her health and it was never suggested that she'd have to have a C-section or anything...

[Mrs McAwesome]

It's so good to hear other positive stories... i have been worried about the same thing. I range at the moment between a size 16 and 20 and am about 100kgs, i was really worried my weight would effect my pregnancy negatively but i am not worried now.



Cara

[Ahurani]

This is a great thread Im big too and worried about what drs would say when Im pg

[tellytubby]

Hi ladies

At first i posted this to Mara through a PM because its an issue i feel a bit embarrased about Never mentioned my "number" to anyone except for DH. But after reading peoples responses, i realise i'm not the only cuddly lady on BB Also sounds like some of you are just as relieved as i to hear that i'm not the only overweight pregnant woman - or overweight woman TTC.

Well here it is, this is what i PMed to Mara *holds breath*, hahaha

Hi Mara

Just replying to your thread about being overweight while pregnant. Don't really want everyone to know my weight! hahaha.

When i fell pregnant with this pregnancy i was 97.5 and a size 18. I am going to a public hospital. On my first appointment (the one with the midwife), she did all the usual, took my weight and told me as kindly as she could that my BMI suggests i'm obese. It was clear to me that she didn't want to hurt my feelings, she was just doing her job. She asked if i'd like to see a dietitian - which i said yes to! (Why not! its free! haha).

The dietitian was lovely, she actually made me feel really good about myself. She told me, if i want to eat crap, than eat it - but to FIRST make sure i've eaten all my serves of fruit and vege, carbs, dairy etc. She explained that by the time i'd had my servings of these - chances are i'd be full as a goog and not really want to eat the crap anymore. I asked her if i should try and lose some weight, she said firmly "no way - pregnant women are not suppose to lose weight. Maybe in an insance of a very large woman - but you are by no means a very large woman" Felt so good to hear that from a dietian!!! She recommended i put on 7 kg this pregnancy.

Got weighed last friday i'm now 101.5 - so i've put on 4kg (i'm 33weeks).

I have had no health problems at all. BP is fine, sugar levels are fine, fit and healthy awaiting the arrival of my baby! I get weighed every visit to the dr, but they just write it down and thats it - never comment on it! (WHich i LOVE!!haha)

I hope this helps!
-tellytubby

[/QUOTE]

[briggsy's girl]

i'm a larger lady and, apart from PE at the VERY END of the pg, i had no real issues. yeah, i had shocking MS - but anyone can have that! no weight related issues at all for me. i ended up losing weight while pg, and i haven't put any back on that i've noticed. i continued to eat healthy through the pregnancy and do the same now - i still hve some bad crap occassionally, but the bulk of my eating is made up of vegetables with some meat, home made stuff - minimal pre-processed stuff etc. i asked both the GP and the Ob doing my shared care and neither had a problem with my weight as i was healthy and looking after myself

[AnyDream]

I'm a luscious larger lady, and I was worried about the combined effect of my weight (>100kg at beginning of preg, but I'm tall) and my age (>35) on things like GD and blood pressure. So I took the step of seeing a dietician throughout my preg, she helped me with a low-GI diet which meant I put on a minimum of weight and more importantly didn't have any issues with GD.

As for other health professionals - no one ever mentioned my weight - not my GP, nor the OB, the only time I was weighed was at the pre-surgical appt (when they weigh and measure your height so they can calculate how much of the drugs to use) for my C/S. I had a shocking case of pelvic laxity (or SPD) but I know just as many tiny ladies who have had this problem and it seems to have nothing to do with weight at all.

[~mamaspice~]

Thanks so much for your replies everyone. It's so great to read other peoples stories. Especially when I was feeling like i was the only overweight woman on the planet considering getting pregnant and feeling like I would be condemned by the medical profession for doing so.

With my first PG, like Marydean the only time I was weighed was just before I went into theatre for my CS. And it was nice that my OB didn't focus on my weight. Mind you pre preg last time I was 17 kilo's lighter than I am now.
And like Briggsy;'s girl I did get PE late in my last pg (from 35 weeks onwards) but it was classed as moderate and I'm confident weight did not play a part in it as I have always had normal BP at any other time.
I think if I do happen to fall preg at this size I will focus on eating healthily and walking lots so that hopefully I gain minimal pregnancy weight.

thanks again for all the replies

[Lisa]

I am plus sized and I had no issues in my pregnancy with my DS2 at all. The medical professionals never really blinked an eye at my size, even when I ended up with SPD in the end. I had no health issues throughout my pregnancy with him either. I had a beautiful birth with him that took 5.5hrs.

I recently gave birth to my DD2 and in the beginning there were no issues in regards to my weight. I had actually lost weight after my pregnancy with DS2 (-24.1kgs to be exact). I was approved to have a home birth and I was really looking forward to it as this was my last pregnancy and I was excited about ending it my way.
Around 30w my midwife became concerned at the size of my fundus and sent me for a growth scan on the baby. This is when all hell broke loose.
I also had a GTT done which came back as being perfect. The growth scan showed that my baby was in the 93rd centile for it's weight. It was then decided at 36w that because I was carrying a bigger baby, and my BMI was higher than they would have liked, I couldn't have my home birth anymore. Apparently I was at risk of having a PPH or the baby becoming stuck and worst of all, I was at risk of dying during the labour (yes, this was told to me). I fought their decision and won, but then at 38w they decided I was way too risky and gave me no option but to birth at the hospital.

Guess what. My baby girl came on her due date. I didn't die. I didn't have a PPH. My baby didn't get stuck. I had a beautiful labour that lasted just over 4hrs and was totally natural. My baby girl weighed 4kgs and is beautifully perfect in every way. I had a physiological 3rd stage and delivered the placenta in 10mins... no sign of PPH and I was home in under 4hrs.
I am still dirty about not getting the birth I truly wanted and I am more than dirty about the horrid things I was told weeks before giving birth. Just because I am bigger doesn't mean I am automatically going to have issues. I have successfully birthed 4 beautiful live babies with no issues what so ever, and I know I could go on to birth many many more no matter what size I am.
You will have a beautiful pregnancy, labour & birth if you truly believe it. Don't let any medical people tell you otherwise. Trust in your body to do what it is designed to do.

[~mamaspice~]

Lisa, what a shame you didn't get to have your HB. Especially when you'd had 3 previous uncomplicated pregnancies/births. Stupid doctors! I must be going to be seen as a super high risk patient being overweight AND wanting a VBAC.

[Arimeh]

Haha I would be seen as a super SUPER high risk, being overweight AND going for a VBA2C.. LOL

[Doing my best]

I am a size 18, (for both pg's).

I had high bloodpressure with DD, but I was also working when pg with her, and my job stressed me out, not to mention the idiot drivers on my way to ob's on the days my bp was raised, LOL..

With DD, I was 2 kgs lighter the day she was born to when I fell pg, so lost weight.

With DS, I gained 4 kgs through pg, and when I weighed myself 2 weeks after his birth, I was 5 kgs lighter than when I fell pg, so I was carrying baby and fluid, no extra weight..

I had no comments from anyone, just told at the beginning that I may get GD, high BP, pre-eclampsia, but I would just be monitored to make sure they were caught early if I got them.. With DS, I didn't even hit weekly visits with my ob till the last week when I had to go and sign consent forms for elective c-sec. Every thing was just going so smoothly.